Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott: Likely to split work Week 1

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Elliott is expected to have a "pretty even split" of the reps out of the backfield with Rico Dowdle in Sunday's season opener in Cleveland, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Though the Cowboys could end up riding the hotter hand of the two backs as the game goes along, both Elliott and Dowdle look set to be part of the team's game plan to begin the contest. Pelissero adds that practice-squad member Dalvin Cook could factor into Dallas' backfield mix as soon as Week 2 against the Saints, but the Cowboys chose not to elevate Cook for Week 1, leaving Deuce Vaughn as the No. 3 option behind Elliott and Dowdle. With the threat of a timeshare with Dowdle on the table for at least Week 1, Elliott might not make for an especially enticing option in fantasy lineups outside of deeper leagues.